More Details On The Acura ILX

Yesterday, Acura announced they would be showing three cars at next month's Detroit Auto Show; a concept version of the NSX, a new RDX, and the ILX sedan. Now, we have learned some more information about the upcoming ILX.

As we have reported, the new ILX will be using the Honda Civic platform as base. But don't expect it to be a re-badged Acura.

"All the suspension settings will be tuned to be Acura. Consider it as different as the TL is from the Accord or the MDX is from the Pilot," said Vicki Poponi, American Honda assistant vice president for product planning.

The ILX's engine lineup will include a 2.0L direct-injection four, the 2.4L four found in the current TSX, and a 1.5L hybrid powertrain.

Acura has also announced the new ILX will be built at Honda's Greensburg, Ind., plant, which currently builds the Honda Civic.

Source: Automotive News

Press Release is on Page 2

New Acura Sedan to be Built at Award-winning Plant in Greensburg

Indiana plant to build its first Acura model - also the first ever U.S.-made hybrid model

GREENSBURG, Ind.

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) today announced that it will be the exclusive manufacturer of the Acura ILX, an all-new luxury sedan going into mass production in Indiana in the spring of 2012. The new Acura ILX sedan will be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup and will be offered with both gasoline and gas-electric hybrid powertrain options. The new Acura ILX will be Acura's first-ever hybrid model, as well as the first Acura model to be produced in Indiana.

"Building this all-new Acura vehicle as the exclusive global source is a big responsibility for our associates," said HMIN President Jun Nishimoto. "I am very proud of what our Indiana team has accomplished in such a short time, and we have great confidence in our ability to produce a world-class luxury vehicle that exceeds the expectations of Acura customers."

The Acura ILX will join the TL sedan, ZDX crossover vehicle, and the MDX and RDX sport-utility vehicles as the fifth Acura model produced exclusively in North America. Acura finished second among all luxury brands in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study.

HMIN was recognized earlier this year for its outstanding quality as one of only three automobile plants globally to earn a Platinum Award for outstanding quality based on the results of J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Survey℠ (IQS). The plant recently added nearly 1,000 associates to support the move to two-shift production, which started on Oct. 24, 2011, doubling the plant's capacity to 200,000 vehicles per year. The Acura ILX will be the first hybrid vehicle to be made in America at a Honda plant. Gasoline engines for the new Acura ILX will be produced at the Anna, Ohio, engine plant of Honda of America Mfg., Inc.

Acura will unveil a concept version of the new ILX sedan at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit during media preview days, Jan. 9-10, 2012. Acura also will debut a new RDX sport-utility vehicle and a concept version of the next-generation Acura NSX supercar at the show, as it moves to further strengthen its product lineup with new products, new technologies and a sharper brand focus.

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The Cimarron returns!!! This will no doubt be a sad car, but Acura was never going to compete with the Germans, so at least they realized that and have aimed low. They are better off matching up against Buick, and to some extent Volvo, VW and Chrysler.